Amid tight police security, Vinayaka idols installed in public places in different parts of the city were taken out in processions and immersed in the Cauvery on Saturday.
Out of 227 idols, more than 100 idols were immersed until 9 p.m. Upon arrival at the Cauvery bridge, the idols were placed on the wooden stages erected on the pavement of the bridge before being pushed in the water. With more than 10,000 cusecs of water flowing in the river, the small-sized idols were washed away. Besides volunteers of various organisations, policemen also helped the organisers immerse the idols in a peaceful manner.
Festive atmosphere prevailed on the Cauvery bridge in the evening. The colourfully decorated idols were brought to the spot with the beating of drums and playing of devotional music and chantings.
A large number of people, including women and children, witnessed the immersion ceremony.
The city police had made elaborate security arrangements to prevent untoward incidents.
Depending upon the previous history, at least one to five policemen were for posted for each idol. Over 1,000 policemen were deployed in the city.
In order to ensure free movement of processions, traffic was suspended between Melachinthamani and Mambazhasalai in the evening.
The police had installed surveillance cameras at important locations to monitor the processions.
Karur
More than 50 idols were immersed in the Cauvery and the Amaravathi rivers in different parts of the district. While a section of idols were immersed in the Cauvery river at Kulithalai, some of them were immersed in the Amaravathi river near Chinna Dharapuram.
Boy drowns
A sixteen-year-old boy from Mettupatti drowned in the Cauvery while immersing a Vinayaka idol at Kokkuttaiyan Kovil near Thottiam.
The victim has been identified as V. Saminathan, a Class XI student.
He was one among 20 persons, who had gone to immerse the idol in the river.
On information, the police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot and retrieved the body.
It has been taken to the Musiri Government Hospital for post-mortem.
